Departing Southbridge school official may be back

SOUTHBRIDGE 
Acting Superintendent Basan “Buzz” Nembirkow indicated he would rehire Director of Finance and Operations Terry L. Wiggin as a consultant after Mr. Wiggin’s resignation takes effect on Feb. 26 if he determines there is a need, according to School Committee Chairman Patricia Woodruff.

Mr. Wiggin, who has been with the district since 2011 and recently served six weeks as acting superintendent, recently and abruptly resigned without providing a reason; a school committee member said it was to stay out of a political dispute.

During a School Committee meeting on Wednesday, member Scott S. Lazo asked that the panel reconsider its acceptance of Mr. Wiggin’s resignation, and instead keep him in the job.

But the decision is now Mr. Nembirkow's to make and out of the committee’s hands, Ms. Woodruff said.

Mr. Nembirkow, the retired Brockton superintendent, began serving as acting school chief on Jan. 2. He did not return a phone call Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Wiggin told Ms. Woodruff on Dec. 21 he was resigning, and the resignation was put it in writing to her on Dec. 26.

On Jan. 3, he wrote a letter indicating he wanted to rescind his resignation.Ms. Woodruff denied the latter request.

According to Mr. Lazo, Mr. Wiggin resigned because he was angry that school committee member Mary Ellen Prencipe blasted him for patronizing Mr. Lazo’s pub.Ms. Prencipe said the allegation was absurd.

Mr. Lazo said Ms. Prencipe accosted Mr. Wiggin, asking what was he doing in the pub, and if he were on the take.

Mr. Lazo said Mr. Wiggin told him about the conversation, but Mr. Wiggin declined to comment to a reporter.

Mr. Lazo said Mr. Wiggin visited his pub during a holiday event. He said they did not talk about School Committee business.

In November, the committee placed Superintendent Eric D. Ely on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation into a complaint of misconduct lodged against Mr. Ely.

Last month, Mr. Wiggin placed Southbridge Middle-High School Principal Tammy M. Perreault on paid administrative leave. No reason was given to the public.